Few people think seriously about how toilet paper or other paper towels are made. So, most of us may not realize that the average American uses more than 50 pounds of tissue paper every year, or that to make these paper products, companies source fiber from trees cut from climate-sensitive forests. Our latest Fabric Issues Report and Sustainability Scorecard sheds light on the significant environmental impact that some of the most popular paper brands in the U.S. are having on forests, as well as the steps consumers can take to make the greenest choices possible . Start here.
American consumers need only look north to see the impact paper production has on our environment. Canada’s boreal forest, the largest intact forest in the world, is being cut down at an alarming rate, in part to satisfy consumer demand for paper products. Between 1996 and 2015, loggers cleared 28 million acres of forestland—an area roughly the size of Ohio. The United States is the largest source of forest loss. By 2022, it will account for 65% of Canada’s total pulp and paper exports, and will then be used by some of the largest household brands in products ranging from paper towels to toilet paper.
Trees, soil and peatlands in Canada’s boreal zone store large amounts of carbon, and when trees are cut down, this gas is released into the atmosphere. (A conservative estimate is that logging in the North releases 26 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year, equivalent to the annual emissions of 5.5 million passenger cars.) In addition to depriving the planet of one of the most important defenses against climate change, logging also leads to Destruction and degradation of wildlife habitats and threats to indigenous lands and ways of life.
Luckily, there are many competitively priced grades of tissue paper available that have minimal impact on forests. We rate all major brands of toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues in the US. This includes leading supermarkets’ own brands and brands promoting more sustainable practices, many of which have been launched in the last five years. Here’s what top ratings mean to buyers:
How does your favorite toilet paper brand rank in terms of sustainability? Scroll through the list to see which brands received an “A” grade and which ones failed the test, or search by entering your brand. Wondering how your paper towels and paper towels are rated? Click the button below to view these scorecards.
Of course, you also want to avoid the worst criminals. This is what it means to fail a fabric assessment.
You may notice the “FSC Certified” label, which is the seal of the Forest Stewardship Council, appearing on some of these brands. Although the label states that the product comes from more responsibly managed forests, there is no reason why toilet paper should be made from trees at all when there are many affordable and sustainable alternatives.
In addition to choosing the right brand, you can also work to reduce your overall consumption of paper products. Here are some simple ways.
Finally, you can promote broader and stronger forest protection. Despite the ongoing degradation of forests such as Canada’s boreal forest, leading toilet paper brands persist in their unsustainable practices in producing and marketing toilet paper. Bounty, Charmin, Kleenex and other brands continue to produce toilet paper using methods that have changed little since the 19th century, still relying almost entirely on forest fibers, while continuing to make misleading claims that their products support forest health. At the same time, they have a large research and development budget that they can use to create soft, durable and environmentally friendly toilet paper.
Organizational Issues, 5th Edition – Reports (PDF) Organizational Issues, 5th Edition – Scorecard Charts (PDF)
NRDC’s release of the fifth edition of the Fabric Issues Report in 2023 and the updated scorecard together highlight the rapid growth of sustainable tissue brands making decisions as consumers increasingly demand greener options. Plan to stop the “tree to toilet pipes.”
Tissue Matters 4th Edition – Scorecard (PDF) Tissue Matters 3rd Edition – Scorecard (PDF) Charmin Toilet Paper – Subtle Sustainability Statement – Fact Sheet (PDF) Tissue Matters 2nd Edition – Report (PDF) Tissue Matters: United States How Man Flushed Forest in the Toilet – Report (PDF) On Cannabis, Bidets and Bamboo: All Your Toilet Paper Questions Answered – Fact Sheet (PDF) You’ve Heard About the Charmin Spin, Now Here Are the Facts – Fact Sheet (PDF);
NRDC is the most effective environmental advocacy organization in the United States, combining the grassroots power of 1.3 million members and online activists with the courtroom influence and expertise of more than 350 attorneys, scientists and other professionals.
Post time: Jun-04-2024